The Buffalo Bills returned to the practice field Sunday morning following their popular Return of the Blue and Red session at Highmark Stadium, and defensive end A.J. Epenesa was among the Bills who enjoyed a sensational practice at St. John Fisher University.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining who else joined Epenesa in standing out during Sunday’s practice session and gives an update on the status of Pro Bowl running back James Cook.
Observations from Day 9 of Bills training camp
Bills fans are used to seeing defensive
end A.J. Epenesa make a few incredible plays per season, and his athleticism was on full display Sunday, sacking quarterback Josh Allen, returning an Allen interception for a touchdown, and tipping a pass at the line of scrimmage.
Who else enjoyed a good practice on Sunday? Veteran defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi finally showcased his disruptive skills; rookie defensive back Jordan Hancock made the most of his time filling in for injured safety Taylor Rapp; wide receivers Kristian Wilkerson and Stephen Gosnell came up with big receptions; defensive back Cam Lewis showed off his versatility in the secondary; and rookie tight end Jackson Hawes’ pass-catching abilities were on display.
- Buffalo Bills pass rusher dominates on Day 9 of camp, picks off Josh Allen - newyorkupstate.com
- Bills camp observations: Cam Lewis shows versatility by playing safety, nickel, dime in same practice - Buffalo News (subscription required)
- 5 Buffalo Bills’ training camp observations: under-the-radar WRs showing out - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Top 3 things to know from Day 9 of Bills Training Camp 2025 - BuffaloBills.com
- Buffalo Bills’ injury updates: 12 players out, 2 return among 4 limited on Sunday - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills depth chart 2025: Injuries start to take a toll on receivers | wgrz.com
Latest on the James Cook situation
While Pro Bowl running back James Cook made it clearly known this offseason that he wanted a lucrative contract extension, his desire to be paid like one of the league’s top backs didn’t prevent him from attending Buffalo’s mandatory minicamp and participating at training camp.
But that all changed on Sunday, when Cook was spotted on the sidelines wearing street clothes and did not participate in the practice sessions. When asked why he didn’t practice, or whether he would suit up for Monday’s practice, Cook repeated his one-word answer: “Business.”
- Buffalo Bills running back James Cook cites ‘business’ during apparent hold-in - Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Seeking deal, Cook sits out Bills’ practice - ‘Just business’ - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- James Cook sits out Bills practice amid contract negotiations, calls it ‘business’ - The Athletic (subscription required)
- Bills’ James Cook gives one word answer to explain absence from training camp practice - newyorkupstate.com
- Contact issues: James Cook’s ‘business’ pause raises contract questions | wgrz.com
- James Cook sits out Sunday’s practice, citing “business” - WGR 550
- Brandon Beane: Bills remain in ‘constant communication’ with James Cook and his camp - Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills’ GM addresses James Cook’s contract hold-in situation: ‘It takes two’ - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- James Cook may be conducting hold in at Bills camp - Democrat & Chronicle
WR Khalil Shakir week-to-week with high ankle sprain
During the team’s Return of the Blue and Red practice on Friday night, wide receiver Khalil Shakir suffered a high ankle sprain and is considered week-to-week. The injury to Buffalo’s leading receiver from last season leaves the team short-handed at the position heading into the preseason.
- Khalil Shakir’s ankle sprain leaves Bills thin at receiver with preseason opener near - Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills’ Khalil Shakir ‘week-to-week’ with high ankle sprain - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- Khalil Shakir injury update: Bills WR has high ankle sprain - Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills WR Khalil Shakir and CB Maxwell Hairston listed ‘week to week’ with injuries - BuffaloBills.com
Even more Bills news
Wide receiver Keon Coleman discusses how he has built a strong rapport with Josh Allen and head coach Sean McDermott shares his thoughts on preparing the team to play in the preseason. Plus, how Buffalo’s successful 2022 NFL Draft has set the team up for long-term success; nickel cornerback Taron Johnson has been putting in the work to continue to improve; a proposed deal to acquire disgruntled Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin; and more!
- Keon Coleman highlights keys to building chemistry with Josh Allen ‘Inside Training Camp Live’ - BuffaloBills.com
- Sean McDermott Talks Getting The Team Ready To Perform At A High Level & More! - BuffaloBills.com
- Building a winner: How Bills’ stellar 2022 draft example of team’s ‘select, develop, retain’ process - Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Ryan O’Halloran: Taron Johnson hopes summer experimentation equals fall production - Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Terry McLaurin trade proposals: Analyzing 5 potential offers for the Commanders - The Athletic (subscription required)
- Proposed Bills’ trade would steal $68 million wide receiver for player, Day 3 pick - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo’s ‘dull’ training camp is exactly what the Bills want - The Athletic (subscription required)
- Bills sign OL Dan Feeney and release OL Rush Reimer - BuffaloBills.com
- Buffalo Bills announce game day themes for 2025 regular season - BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Buffalo Bills running back James Cook not practicing due to “business” - Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills WR Khalil Shakir considered week-to-week with a high ankle sprain - Buffalo Rumblings
- Buffalo Bills plagued by massive injury list days before first preseason game - Buffalo Rumblings
- 90 Buffalo Bills players in 90 days: LB Keonta Jenkins - Buffalo Rumblings
- Buffalo Bills 2025 season preview: Week 3 vs. Miami Dolphins - Buffalo Rumblings
- 90 Buffalo Bills players in 90 days: WR Deon Cain - Buffalo Rumblings
More from buffalorumblings.com:
- Maxwell Hairston leaves Bills training camp practice with injury
- Maxwell Hairston injury, Day 6 training camp observations
- Buffalo Bills getting complete package in DE Michael Hoecht
- Buffalo Bills’ injury list gets much longer as team throws on pads at training camp
- Madden ratings place Josh Allen as the best player in the league
- Sean McDermott wants the Bills to play ‘nasty, physical football’ as pads pop at training camp
- Sights, sounds, and observations from Day 5 of Buffalo Bills 2025 training camp
